Where / How do you store your fresh eggs?

[Flyboy718]

When you collect them from the nesting box, where do you store them? Is storing them at room temp on the counter ok, if so, how long can I leave them out unrefrigerated? Just use tap water to wash it before eating?

 

[rmh0508]

I put my normal size eggs in cartons in the fridge and my Bantam eggs just go in a bowl in the fridge. I can't help you with the leaving them out question.

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

I store mine on the counter. I use them before they go bad, but about 21 days would be the max for keeping them out on the counter. Make sure you don't clean them until you are about to eat or cook them, if you do want to wash them right away than put them in the refrigerator.

 

[tec27]

I find it odd not to refrigerate eggs for some reason. I always have mine in the refrigerator. I always think even a couple hours out of it they will go bad. Not true, just a habit i guess. When i collect the eggs from the nesting boxes, i immediately lightly wash them with some water and then just put them in the refrigerator. I had a friend tell me that you can also spray some of that Clorox Anywhere cleaner or whatever on a paper towel and add some water to dilute it and then clean the eggs. I've never tried that yet though. It seems legit. As long as the egg doesn't absorb a lot of the cleaner.

 

[jeslewmazer]

I leave mine out for about 7days, then if they make it past that I will put them in the refrigerator. If they are dirty I wash (with tap water) before I use them or put them in the fridge.

 

[Freia]

After reading the study published in Mother Earth News,
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx

I only store a carton of dozen eggs in the fridge, handy to use. The rest all go in the coolest room in the house, at room temperature - even in the summertime. I don't wash them before storing them (to keep the bloom), but I wash them before using them. I have a stiff brush that I use to get rid of any muck and debris before storing them, though. I've never had an egg go bad this way, but I don't think I've ever had an egg sit at room temp for more than 2 weeks before eating it. I've certainly never "tested" them at 3 or 6 months like in this study, not would I want to.
Note that once an egg has been refrigerated, it needs to be kept cold. Refrigerating it, then moving it to room temp, is no good.